CEBU CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Visayas (Region 7) seized more than P4-billion worth of illegal drugs in the past six years under the Duterte administation’s war against drugs.
The PRO 7 reported that from July 1, 2016 to June 26, 2022, P4.1-billion worth of shabu was confiscated as part of the intensified campaign against illegal drugs. During the period, 55,547 drug personalities were arrested in the 40,227 operations that were conducted.
The operations resulted into the confiscation of 614,216.29 grams of shabu with a standard drug price value of P4,176,670,772. Confiscated marijuana weighed 2,373,839.93 grams and valued at P284,860,791.60, PRO 7 said.
“Effective policing strategies were implemented in pursuit of the police force's thrust to serve and protect the people of Central Visayas,” said Police Brig. Gen. Roque Eduardo Vega, PRO 7 chief.
Also under the Duterte administration, the annual crime trend of the reported crime incidents in the region manifested a downward trend.
The PRO 7 said a significant improvement in the peace and order situation in Central Visayas was recorded with a notable 22 percent decrease per year.
Crimes against property, the most prevalent crime in the region, had a significant decline from 2016 to June 2022 with a 25 percent decrease per year.
Internal cleansing was also intensified under the Duterte administration with the PRO 7 administering disciplinary actions and sanctions to policemen involved in unlawful activities.
During the period, 90 erring police personnel were dismissed, 28 were demoted, and 217 were suspended.
“PRO 7 vowed to go after erring policemen as part of the internal cleansing program of the PNP which aimed to produce a professional, dedicated, and disciplined police force,” Vega said.